Supporters of Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed gathered at Cass Technical High School in Detroit on Saturday for a rally that drew former President Barack Obama, with many attendees pointing to the cost of living and El-Sayed’s progressive platform as reasons for their support.
El-Sayed, an epidemiologist and former Wayne County health director, is running to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. His campaign is built around Medicare-for-all, raising the federal minimum wage and expanding social safety net programs. He has also backed guaranteed income programs — government-distributed cash assistance given without conditions — as a tool to help residents through economic hardship or pregnancy.
Emily Walker, a teacher at Cass Technical High School, said El-Sayed’s background and visibility in the community set him apart.
“I personally think he’s resonating with people in Michigan because he is a person of color, obviously, and then, secondly, he gets down, and he’s 10 toes down,” Walker said. “He’s out here with the people. He’s knocking on doors. He’s talking to the community. He’s also a medical professional, and I just feel like he’s very educated, and he understands what’s going on in policies.”
An attendee identified only as Dave said he wants sweeping change from Democrats rather than incremental steps.
“I think we need a major change in what we have with Donald Trump and his cohorts,” Dave said. “The Democrats, I don’t think, have been listening well enough. I think we need to change big time instead of just slowly.”
Publicist Kiana Montgomery said El-Sayed’s focus on education, healthcare and affordability matches what voters in the area are looking for.
“I think he won because he is speaking to the things that are important to people: education, healthcare and bringing down the costs that are going on right now,” Montgomery said. “People are trying to do more than just exist. They’re trying to thrive, and they’re unable to do that in the economic times right now.”
Jamal Jenkins said the appeal of progressive proposals comes down to voters wanting to see real movement on affordability and inequality.
“I think a progressive is resonating because people want to see more action towards putting a dent into affordability,” Jenkins said. “When you look at corporate profits and the wealth gap between the wealthy, the shrinking middle class and the impoverished, I think folks want to see action.”
He added that the underlying desire is simple.
“I think everybody wants the same thing for themselves and for their kids. Just to have a shot at an education, a good life, work-life balance and to live life without having to struggle as much for reasons that really don’t make much sense.”
Mohammed, a Bloomfield Hills resident, said he sees El-Sayed as a candidate focused on everyday families rather than entrenched interests.
“The old way of doing business isn’t working anymore. We don’t want to see our money being taken away from us. We want to see our money being used for the children here, for the elderly here and for those in need. With our grocery prices and gas prices being the way they are, we shouldn’t be fighting stupid wars anymore, as he keeps saying. I think for all of us as citizens of Michigan, he’s a better fit because he’s looking out for us as opposed to big pharma and PACs.”
El-Sayed faces Republican nominee Mike Rogers in the November general election. He has said questions about his criticism of Israel — a position he describes as now mainstream within the Democratic Party — distract from the economic issues voters raised at the rally. Neither the El-Sayed nor Rogers campaigns responded to a request for comment.
